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.... just added a correction to my previous post which addresses the 'tweener' issue. I likely erred in raising the original question in that context. Another possibility is that my Ohira Asagi can be enhanced/augmented/supplemented in other ways to make it work better with blades directly from Aoto. The notion of just rubbing away for extended periods on Ohira Asagi is not a desirable solution.

Tom B

forthosewhotoil76

Post subject: Re: What's a good natural to use as a tweener stone?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:53 am

Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:01 pmPosts: 258

I received some really good advice (IMO) from somebody on this forum (might have been Jason B.). I was considering building an excusive Jnat stone progression, and was encouraged to consider a slightly different approach. The advice I received was to build a foundation of synthetics instead for the sake of consistency and versatility, and use Jnats as specialty stones when appropriate. I found this strategy as spot on, at least for my uses.

doubtingtom37

Post subject: Re: What's a good natural to use as a tweener stone?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:32 am

Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:03 pmPosts: 18

My interests and approaches are surely unique for me and not likely for most others. All of my sessions incorporate a homemade jig, using a heavy sink-spanning base, Panavise, digital angle gauge, bubble level, lighted loupe, lighted 100x scope.

When I do a synthetic session, there is a range from GlassStone 220, Bester 500, Shapton Pro 1,2,5,8K, Hard Felt Pad, Smooth Horsehair Pad.

Newest session is JNS with only Aoto and Ohira Asagi. Likely additions are Igarashi, Yaginoshima Asagi, Takashima, Atagoyama. No question ..... only way is to acquire and use these stones to truly understand how they perform.

Compounds and stropping is a future interest which complements all of these stone groupings.

This current struggle is due to acquistion of a JNS beyond my current (even future) needs. Before offering it for sale, I am trying to find steps to make it of some practical use during my JNS sessions. Mark's suggestion using a sequence of slurries is intriguing and most likely to be tried. I have one nagura (and a few finger stones) provided with the Ohira Asagi and need to better understand what other nagura may work well.

Tom B

burkecutlery

Post subject: Re: What's a good natural to use as a tweener stone?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:22 am

Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:55 amPosts: 473

Nagura sounds like the way to go. But Nagura are, again, pieces of stone, so you will have the same issues finding one that suits you. There are synthetic naguras, but it sounds you want to go all-natural.

Here's what I'd do: But a small assortment of finger stones, and determine which is which. Then use them like a nagura, and then talk to a natural stone expert about which one you like to use as a nagura and see if they can guide you.

I think a lot of the fun in natural stones is going beyond function and sharpening for the sake of sharpening.

I haven't taken time to use the finger stones but am now motivated to try what you suggest. I was a bit apprehensive at first with the Ohira Asagi, but now realize it is so hard and fine, there is little I can do to cause any real problems. It should become clear quickly how much slurry the finger stones generate and which are for what purpose.

Here is a pic of Aoto, Ohira Asagi, finger stones (left), nagura (ctr), sample coarse stones (right). I have no sense of the nagura other than it seems fairly hard but generates modest slurry on the Asagi.

burkecutlery wrote:Nagura sounds like the way to go. But Nagura are, again, pieces of stone, so you will have the same issues finding one that suits you. There are synthetic naguras, but it sounds you want to go all-natural.

Here's what I'd do: But a small assortment of finger stones, and determine which is which. Then use them like a nagura, and then talk to a natural stone expert about which one you like to use as a nagura and see if they can guide you.

I think a lot of the fun in natural stones is going beyond function and sharpening for the sake of sharpening.

What is the grit range, hardness, and cutting speed of the Ohira Asagi?

doubtingtom37

Post subject: Re: What's a good natural to use as a tweener stone?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:13 pm

Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:03 pmPosts: 18

Maxim stated Lv3/3.5 (thought is was a bit softer than others in same batch). No grit range given but beginning around 9-10K as he compared to my Shapton Pro 8K. I have no JNS comparison, but stone cuts pretty slowly using nagura provided. No detail on nagura, but pic earlier shows the color.

Tom B

burkecutlery

Post subject: Re: What's a good natural to use as a tweener stone?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:59 pm

Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:55 amPosts: 473

Great, let us know how you like them!

I think it's a good way to try a bunch of different stone types, because fingerstones are often mixed hard and soft, muddy and dense, etc. They don't all make good slurries--my favorite fingerstone makes for a TERRIBLE edge, but a beautiful jigane. But it is a cheap way to try different things!

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